The Adidas Solar Boost Is a Springy and Supportive Dream Shoe

Runners who dig Adidas’s springy Boost foam (and even a few foam-sole skeptics) will find a lot to like with the new Solar Boost. The shoe packs the same cushioned midsole as the brand’s Ultra Boost, but beefs up the support of the upper through the midfoot without adding weight. And the three-piece “tailored fiber” upper delivers stay-put support without bulking up the shoe.

The shoe is available to purchase May 17, but we've had several runners testing it since March. Ultrarunner Pat Heine’s first experience with Boost foam left him impressed. “As a heel striker, I really appreciated the softness upon impact, and through transition to toe off,” he said. “There was really nice spring action, returning a lot of the energy absorbed by the foam earlier in my stride.”

A Midsole That Balances a Secure Fit and ResponsivenessThe Solar Boost has a similar cushioned midsole to previous Adidas Boost shoes, but replaces the rigid midfoot cage with a lightweight fabric designed to keep the foot locked into place over that foam. The shoe also has new construction to secure the heel at the midsole, which is intended to help the Achilles move freely and focus a runner's energy forward. Our testers found the shoe provided a relatively neutral platform and comfort for long runs.

Solid Traction and a Stable Base for a Road ShoeShoe tester Heather Irvine found the Solar Boost offers fantastic traction for a road shoe, even on snowy or slushy roads. Small lugs on the full-length rubber outsole provide plenty of grip on and off pavement, while a wide heel gives the shoes a planted feel. Some of our testers noticed, however, that the sole of their shoes started to show signs of wear during our three-week test period.

A Structured Upper Without Ditching the CozinessInitially we had some concerns that the Solar Boost’s more structured upper could lead to some rubbing (as compared to a knit upper, like on the Ultra Boost), but our testers found the fit to be supportive without being too thickly layered. The Solar’s ultra-padded tongue adds to the sock-like coziness by protecting the top of your foot from the laces. While the lacing felt comfortable enough against the top of the foot, there were some issues with keeping laces tied. And on sunny runs, some of our testers wanted more heat management. If your feet run hot, you might want something more breathable or to save these for cold-weather runs.

A Soft, Springy Ride That Could Show Signs of Wear EarlyTesters who were fans of the Adidas Ultra Boost in the past were impressed with this new model and its springy, lightweight protection from harsh pavement. “This may be my new favorite shoe,” tester Derek Call raved. “Some backstory: The Adidas Supernova Boost 6 was one of my favorite shoes of all time. It took three years for me to find a shoe even comparable to it, and that was last year’s Adidas Supernova. The Solar Boost is an improvement on that shoe. It feels lighter, my foot slips right into the upper like a slipper, and it still offers enough stability without adding any weight or material.” On the other hand, runners who prefer a harder sole might find the Solar Boost to be a bit on the squishy side, as a few of our testers did.

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